The first thing to do is to check the return address on your letter to be sure it’s from the IRS and not from another agency, and not some type of a scam to obtain personal information from you.  If you suspect the letter to be a scam, report it to the IRS at Report Phishing | Internal Revenue Service (irs.gov).

If the letter is authentic, read the letter carefully and call the toll-free phone number listed on the letter to determine what information the IRS needs to verify your identity and complete the processing of your return. 

Don’t send a copy of your return unless the IRS asks you to do so. Do not file a Form 1040-X, Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return. After the IRS receives the requested information, they’ll use it to process your original tax return. 

If you’re entitled to a refund, the IRS will send it about six to eight weeks from the time they receive your response, plus any applicable interest. 

If you choose, you may be represented by a third party such as an attorney, certified public accountant, or enrolled agent. Also, you may be represented by a member of your immediate family, or a student or law graduate working in a low income taxpayer clinic or student tax clinic program.  If you want your representative to advocate on your behalf and appear without you before the IRS, you must file a properly completed Form 2848 (no earlier than 01/2021 revision), Power of Attorney and Declaration of Representative. You may also authorize an individual to receive or inspect confidential material but not represent you before the IRS, by filing a Form 8821, Tax Information Authorization. These forms are available at your local IRS office, by calling 1-800-829-3676, or from www.IRS.gov. 

A valid federal or state government-issued picture identification, such as a driver’s license, state ID, or passport.

At least ONE of the following forms of identification: 

• Current federal or state government-issued identification that is different from the first document provided 
• U.S. Social Security card;  
• Mortgage statement with current address 
• Lease agreement for a house or apartment with current address  
• Car title  
• Voter registration card (not the voter registration application) 
• Utility bill matching address on ID 
• Birth certificate (the IRS no longer accepts Puerto Rican birth certificates issued before July 1, 2010) 
• Current school records